WrapCT Presents: Changing Agency Culture - Best Practice

WrapCT Presents:Changing Agency

Culture - Best Practice

First Big IdeaJust because you have some values doesn’t

mean you are of value to families

Pat Miles

Mary Jo Meyers [email protected] ChangingAgencyCulture 2009

CommunityBased

Strengths

TechnologyCluster

UnconditionalCare

Normalization

CulturalCompetency

Collaboration

NeedsDrivenRefinancing

Family Centered

SystemIntegration

Wraparound: A Cluster of Technologies

Putting Values into

Action Exercise


Building on Strengths

Maintaining strengths-based conversation and documentation

Knowing how to reframe in a meaningful way

Encouraging creative resource development

Promoting a strength-based culture of service delivery


Needs Driven

Identifying needs of your local communities

Listening for needs rather than problems or deficits

Developing and implementing plans that are needs driven rather than service driven

Avoid prescribing solutions that are deficit driven


Family Centered

Agencies are welcoming to families

Staff uses family friendly language Respect for privacy – information

is shared on a need to know basis Meetings are not held without

children and families present Brochures & documents are reviewed

by family members before distribution


Community Based Responsiveness

Money flows to support what families really need

Agencies are imbedded into the communities where families live, i.e. are accessible

Operating hours of business and meetings are responsive to families schedules


Care for Children in Context of Families

Commitment to family cohesion in a safe environment

Natural/informal supports are embraced in a real way

Prevention of institutional placement

Permanency for children is paramount


Never Give UpUnconditional Care Systems and agencies are not

permitted to kick kids and families out

Blame the plan not the family

Hold everyone accountable for follow-through

Remain outcome driven


Normalization

Family norms/family culture are recognized as important for success

Awareness and education around the stigma of mental health

Promoting youth and family events not just “support” groups

Avoid duplication or overutilization of formal services


Cultural Competency

Agency diversity, hiring practices, policies and training

Open dialogue regarding differences is embraced

All committees, training, events have family membership and participation

All planning is individualized to account for each family’s culture


CollaborationSystem Integration

Are the right parties at the table? Is everyone participating? Is everyone held accountable for their

part? Is one plan established to account for all

systems? Are resources being shared? Are agencies working together to meet the

needs of a common community?


Refinancing

Use of Multiple Resources

Creative and Responsible Use of Flex Funds

Think Sustainability


Evaluating Agency Practice

Second Big Idea

Holding meetings to discuss plans for youth and families without them present is like building a bridge to nowhere

MJ Meyers


What is a Child and Family Team The child and family identify a group of people

who will work with them and help prepare the plan of care.

Composed of informal and formal members who will continue to support the family after leaving the program.

The Child and Family Team should meet as frequently as needed (at least once a month).


Best Practice Bench Marks

50/50 – Balanced Teamwithin 3 months

20/80 – Formal/Informal6 months and beyond

Third Big Idea

Just because you have it, it doesn’t mean

children and families need it

MJ Meyers


Categorical Approach

Assess Problems

Look at Services that are Available…

Plug Services into the Family


Examples of a Categorical Approach Services reflect what’s available

and has been tried rather than what’s really needed


Barriers

& Solutions


Lessons Learned

Don’t do it unless it holds meaning for families

Keep the excitement going

Keep your eye on the ball; vigilance is a must

Establish meaningful QA/QI procedures

Lead by example

Celebrate your successes Never give up – families deserve your best!


For More Information Contact:

For WrapCT Tim Marshall 860 550 6531

For Training and content materialMary Jo Meyers, MS

Phone: [email protected]

Documents

WrapCT Presents: Changing Agency Culture - Best Practice